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Comparing travel nursing agencies
Independent comparison

Best Travel Nursing Agencies (2026)

Head-to-head comparison of the five agencies and marketplaces most used by US travel nurses. Pay transparency, day-one benefits, contract length, and what each is best for.

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Updated Reviewed by NurseWay Editorial Team

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At a glance

AgencyFoundedHQPayDay-1 insuranceCoverage
Vivian Health2020New York, NYweeklyYesAll 50 states
Aya Healthcare2001San Diego, CAweeklyYesAll 50 states
Trusted Health2017San Francisco, CAweeklyYesAll 50 states
Trustaff2002Cincinnati, OHweeklyYesAll 50 states
Medical Solutions2001Omaha, NEweeklyYesAll 50 states

Detailed reviews

#1

Vivian Health

Largest healthcare jobs marketplace — see pay rates upfront

Visit Vivian Health →

Vivian Health is a healthcare jobs marketplace (not a single staffing agency) that aggregates listings from 100+ travel agencies in one place. It's the most common starting point for travel nurses because pay packages are visible upfront — no calls required just to learn the rate. Profile-based, recruiters reach out to you.

Founded
2020
Headquarters
New York, NY
Pay frequency
weekly
Day-1 insurance
Yes
Assignment length
8-26 weeks
Coverage
All 50 states
Best for
First-time travelers comparing offersPay transparencyWorking with multiple agencies at once
Apply at Vivian Health →
#2

Aya Healthcare

Largest dedicated travel nurse staffing agency in the US

Visit Aya Healthcare →

Aya is the largest dedicated travel nurse staffing agency in the country, with the deepest job board for traditional travel contracts. Strong recruiter network and benefits package, including day-one health insurance and 401k matching. Best fit for nurses who want a stable single-agency relationship.

Founded
2001
Headquarters
San Diego, CA
Pay frequency
weekly
Day-1 insurance
Yes
Assignment length
13 weeks
Coverage
All 50 states
Best for
High-volume job boardEstablished recruiter relationshipsStrong benefits
Apply at Aya Healthcare →
#3

Trusted Health

Tech-forward platform with transparent pay and digital onboarding

Visit Trusted Health →

Trusted Health pioneered the all-digital travel nurse experience — apply, submit credentials, and book assignments through a modern web/app interface. Pay packages are displayed transparently, and Trusted handles many state license costs directly. Popular with younger nurses and those who dislike phone-heavy recruiting.

Founded
2017
Headquarters
San Francisco, CA
Pay frequency
weekly
Day-1 insurance
Yes
Assignment length
13 weeks
Coverage
All 50 states
Best for
Digital-first onboardingTransparent pay packagesLicense reimbursement
Apply at Trusted Health →
#4

Trustaff

Long-running agency with strong Midwest and Southeast presence

Visit Trustaff →

Trustaff is one of the older established travel nursing agencies, with a particularly strong network in Midwest and Southeast hospital systems. Known for hands-on recruiter support and reliable weekly pay. Less of a self-service experience than newer platforms.

Founded
2002
Headquarters
Cincinnati, OH
Pay frequency
weekly
Day-1 insurance
Yes
Assignment length
13 weeks
Coverage
All 50 states
Best for
Midwest/Southeast assignmentsRecruiter-led job matchingLong-term agency loyalty bonuses
Apply at Trustaff →
#5

Medical Solutions

Mid-size agency with strong loyalty/referral program

Visit Medical Solutions →

Medical Solutions has a notable referral and loyalty bonus structure that compounds over multiple assignments — making it a popular choice for nurses planning to travel for several years. Solid coverage across the country with particular depth in specialty units (ICU, ER, OR).

Founded
2001
Headquarters
Omaha, NE
Pay frequency
weekly
Day-1 insurance
Yes
Assignment length
13 weeks
Coverage
All 50 states
Best for
Loyalty/referral bonusesSpecialty unit assignmentsRepeat travelers
Apply at Medical Solutions →

How we picked these agencies

We included agencies and marketplaces that (1) operate across all 50 states or have substantial multi-state coverage, (2) offer day-one major-medical health insurance on active contracts, (3) publish pay transparently or participate in marketplaces that do, and (4) have an established recruiter network large enough to source multiple offers per specialty. We excluded single-region agencies and per-diem-only staffing firms. For our full editorial standards, see our methodology page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which travel nursing agency pays the most?

There is no single highest-paying agency — pay varies by specialty, location, and contract type. Aya Healthcare and Vivian Health (a marketplace aggregating 100+ agencies) typically post the broadest rate ranges, which means more visibility into top-of-market packages. Trusted Health shows pay transparently on every listing. For any specific contract, compare at least 2–3 agencies before signing.

Is it better to work with one travel agency or multiple?

Most experienced travelers work with 2–3 agencies simultaneously to maximize options. Using a marketplace like Vivian Health lets you compare many agencies' offers without separate applications. The downside of spreading too thin: recruiters give best-fit contracts to loyal nurses first, so establishing a relationship with a primary agency (Aya, Trusted, Trustaff, or Medical Solutions) plus Vivian for backup is a common strategy.

How do travel nursing agencies make money?

Hospitals pay the agency a bill rate (typically $100–200+ per hour depending on market and specialty). The agency pays the nurse a taxable wage plus tax-free housing, meal, and incidental stipends, and keeps the margin to cover recruiting, compliance, insurance, and profit. Typical agency gross margins run 20–30% of the bill rate.

Do travel agencies offer health insurance from day one?

All five agencies on this page (Aya, Vivian, Trusted, Trustaff, Medical Solutions) offer day-one health insurance on active contracts. Coverage gaps between contracts vary — some agencies offer bridge coverage, others require COBRA or a private gap plan between assignments.

What's the difference between a travel agency and a marketplace like Vivian Health?

An agency (Aya, Trusted, Trustaff, Medical Solutions) directly employs you, handles payroll, credentialing, and insurance, and has its own job board of hospital contracts. A marketplace (Vivian Health) aggregates listings from 100+ agencies into one searchable feed — you apply through Vivian, then get matched to an agency that handles the actual contract.

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